Ancestral Criminal Records
Mug Shots | Search
Having never been arrested, I didn't really think about what types of information that police departments record
for criminals. Recently, I stumbled upon several mug shots from the early 1900's at a local postcard show and was amazed.
Some of the older mug shots include unique
information like the measurement of the right ear, cheek width, complexion, weight, build, quality of teeth, along
with many of the basics like occupation, age, place of birth, residence and, of course, the crime they committed.
It was Alphonse Bertillon, a French anthropologist, who developed this detailed identification system using measurements known as anthropometry, or the Bertillon system.
In 1883, Bertillon identified his first habitual criminal using his own system.
Certainly nobody wishes that any of their ancestors had criminal records, but if they did, getting a copy of
the police mug shot can be an interesting addition to your genealogy project.
Reprints of these records can be ordered for a nominal fee.
Fees vary based on the number of pages in the criminal's file.
We'll print a copy of the records on archival paper (acid and lignin free) and mail it to you.
If you have some mug shots that you would like to share with other researchers, send us a note.
We'll be glad to include them in the database search.
Mug Shot Ordering Services
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